Fresh Juicing for Acne

Acne is the most common skin problem, and it requires an integrated approach in order to avoid supplement toxicity while attaining the desired clinical results. Effective approaches for mild to moderate acne include nutritional supplementation, topical treatments, good hygiene, and importantly, a healthy diet that avoids sugar, trans-fatty acids, milk, fried foods, and iodine.

But one of the best ways to heal acne is by drinking fresh, raw fruit and vegetable juices that are high in the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants known to reduce acne. Fresh juices not only deliver targeted nutrition, they also cleanse the body from the inside out because the soluble fiber in raw juice revs up the digestive system–your body’s detoxification organs.

For acne, in addition to these three juice recipes below, try zinc supplementation, which can be highly effective in the treatment of acne. Use a highly absorbable form such as zinc picolinate or citrate at a dosage of 30-45 mg per day for best results.

Go-Go Green

Handful of parsley or wheatgrass

4 celery ribs

2 kale leaves

1 green bell pepper

Handful of spinach

1 cucumber, cut in half lengthwise

Juice the parsley, followed by the celery, kale pepper, spinach, and cucumber.

Purple Cow

1/3 head of red cabbage, cut into wedges

2 kale leaves

1 red bell pepper

2 red apples, cut into wedges

Juice the cabbage, followed by the kale, pepper, and apples.

Better Red than Dead

1 beet with top

1/2 medium sweet potato, cut into strips

3 carrots

Juice the beet, followed by the sweet potato strips and carrots.

Dr. Michael Murray
3/4/14

Welcome

On the Dr Oz show

On the show I discussed the failure of conventional medicine to address the underlying issues in many health conditions offering little more than drugs as biochemical “band aids.”

December is Seasonal Affective Disorder Awareness Month

In seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is associated with winter depression Typically, these individuals not only feel depressed they also feel tried, slow down, and generally oversleep, overeat, and crave carbohydrates in the winter. In the summer, these same patients feel very good and maybe even are elated, active, and energetic.

Although many variables may be responsible for SAD, insufficient light exposure is the most logical explanation. Many mammals exhibit seasonal variations in activity level, sleep patterns, and appetite and are extremely sensitive to changes in day length. The antidepressant effects of full-spectrum light therapy have been demonstrated in well-monitored, controlled studies in SAD. The antidepressant effect of light therapy is probably due to the restoration of proper melatonin synthesis and secretion by the pineal gland, leading to reestablishment of the proper circadian rhythm. Full-spectrum white light (10,000 lux) is prescribed for at least 30 minutes every day in the morning. Or, better yet, use full-spectrum lighting throughout the indoor environment.

The key hormonal change caused by exposure to full spectrum lighting may be a reduced secretion of melatonin from the pineal gland and an increased secretion of cortisol by the adrenal glands. Melatonin supplementation is thought to improve SAD because it increases brain melatonin levels, but it may also suppress cortisol secretion.Take 3-5 mg 45 minutes before retiring.

Vitamin D is also an important consideration. Many experts recommend a dosage of 2,000 to 5,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily, especially during the winter months.

Mind Your Ps and Qs

PQQ may be the perfect answer to preventing or reversing age-related mental decline.

kiwiPQQ (short for pyrroloquinoline quinone) is a vitamin-like compound found in plant foods that shows a wide range of benefits for brain function and energy production. Learn more about PQQ with the following Q&A.
What Exactly Does PQQ Do?

PQQ is an extremely potent antioxidant that is able to carry out the role of an antioxidant in the body more than 20,000 times—which is a rare thing. For example, other antioxidants, such as vitamin C, are only able to accomplish this “cycling” process about four times.
Are There Any Food Sources of PQQ?

PQQ has been found in all plant foods analyzed to date. Particularly PPQ-rich foods include parsley, green peppers, kiwi, papaya, and tofu. These foods contain 2–3 mcg of PQQ per 100 grams. Green tea provides about the same amount per 4-oz. serving. While these amounts appear to be sufficient in helping our cells carry out their basic functions, research indicates that boosting PQQ through supplementation can produce some amazing effects.